Your practice is beginning to show signs of prosperity and growth. All of your patients are seeing good response. Referrals are coming in your office. Everyone is doing their jobs and the appearances of all things that pertain to the office are going according to plan. You've finally turned the corner to developing the practice that you always wanted -- the dream practice.

All of a sudden your chiropractic assistant tells you that the job is too hectic and wants to give you notice. The insurance company calls and lets you know that you've been chosen to be audited for charges on a difficult case that involves you, your associate and your new insurance processor. Why has this scenario come into play?

Each of us has his or her own set of mechanisms that we subconsciously employ to implode a practice. The scenario above may sound a little far reaching, but unfortunately we create subtleties that could be avoided if we saw ourselves as the creator of the cause.

Generally, when there's "a situation" in your office, it's been self-induced. Thinking that it will get better or go away only means that you're not facing a decision that needs to be made. When the bomb explodes in your office you wonder, how did this happen to me? Self-martyrdom sets in when thought patterns turn to excuses.

Whenever a staff member leaves or there are thoughts of a change that's going to take place in your office, rather than letting it build up, address the problem immediately. Most of the time self-sabotage happens when small problems that need small solutions become large problems that require large solutions. Remaining efficient with your decisions in every area of the practice will eliminate feeling sorry for yourself or creating a predicament that you have to solve.

Self-sabotage and self-martyrdom come in all shapes and sizes. If you're setting yourself up to create the fabulous practice that you deserve, the important thing that must be remembered is that these problems are ALL self-induced. Have you ever heard of the "black cloud syndrome"? This is the mechanism by which the self-saboteur operates.

Anything that has to do with Murphy's Law will be self-fulfilling. Your every thought that has anything do with what you want to achieve in life is governed by this mechanism. If you want a larger practice, more associates, more new patients, a beautiful home, a less stressful life, the key is to use your mind to accomplish these things.

Much like the list at the beginning of this month's column, I'm sure you can come up with your own list that seems to be keeping you from where you would like to be.

Remember, that in order to keep from self-sabotage, the people around you must be in agreement with your vision. Include those who are involved in your goals and aspirations for your future. Help them to achieve what they see as necessary in their jobs so that everyone is on the same page working in unison. Communicate with them and inform them when there is a team accomplishment. Make sure that each of them understands that their hard work and effort does not go unnoticed.

Keep a level of continued excitement and enthusiasm in your life. There is no doubt that by changing these simple characteristics, you will be on your way out of one of the most common patterns of practice self-destruction.

Being able to discuss various issues with a core group of doctors will help you arrive at decisions and conclusions in building an efficient practice. The World Chiropractic Alliance is always here to help new doctors as well as long time D.C.s to find the answers they need in practice. The WCA Council on Chiropractic Mentoring is the core group of member doctors here to help those out in the field who are looking for solutions.If you're not a member yet, joining may be the first of many solutions to come.